The Mind Trust announces inaugural cohort of North Star Fellowship and CMO Development Award Recipient in Connecticut

CONNECTICUT – (August 5, 2025) – The Mind Trust and Latinos for Educational Advocacy and Diversity (LEAD) are excited to announce the selection of the inaugural cohort of the North Star Fellowship, a powerful new initiative to bring more high-quality public charter school options to Connecticut families. As part of this broader effort, The Mind Trust has also awarded a Charter Management Organization (CMO) Development Award to support the growth of a network in the state.

The North Star Fellowship, an initiative of both The Mind Trust and LEAD, is a paid opportunity that provides school leaders with the time, resources, and strategic guidance needed to launch new public charter schools in Connecticut successfully. Fellows will sharpen their leadership, perfect their school model, and collaborate with other leaders to create a high-quality public school. 

“The launch of the North Star Fellowship marks an important step toward expanding high-quality public school options in Connecticut,” said Georgia Lieber, Partner, North Star Fellowship at The Mind Trust. “Our Fellows bring the vision, experience, and deep community connections needed to reimagine what’s possible for all students. Through this partnership with LEAD and other local organizations, we are laying the foundation for schools that reflect Connecticut’s communities.”

About the North Star Fellowship

To meet the need for more high-quality public school options, North Star Fellows will spend one to two years developing and launching a new charter school in Connecticut. North Star Fellows are paid a competitive salary with healthcare and benefits. Additionally, Fellows will receive personalized coaching, opportunities to travel to some of the nation’s most innovative schools, and support through the school development process.

The North Star Fellowship’s programming and structure will be based on The Mind Trust’s fellowship and investment tracks that have supported the launch of more than 50 public charter and innovation network schools in Indianapolis, Indiana. Fellows will benefit from a wide range of national charter school development experts to ensure their school is set up for operational and academic success. 

“We are thrilled to welcome this inaugural cohort of North Star Fellows. Each of these leaders and organizations brings a deep commitment to educational excellence and a bold vision for what students and families in Connecticut deserve,” said Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust. “This fellowship is a key part of our strategy to expand high-quality public school options as we seek to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality education.”

North Star Fellowship Inaugural Cohort:

Libertas Academy Charter School, Fellow Ben Cruse, Founder Modesto Montero-Forman 

Libertas Academy Charter School (Libertas), located in Springfield, Massachusetts, is rooted in an achievement-oriented culture that balances high expectations with the joy of learning and a deep commitment to character development. Libertas Academy consistently outperforms its district and is now on par with Massachusetts state outcomes in math and ELA. 

Modesto Montero-Forman, founder of Libertas Academy, is a first-generation college graduate born in the Dominican Republic. He is dedicated to improving access to high-quality education. Montero-Forman scaled Libertas Academy from Middle to High School while maintaining impressive academic outcomes. The first graduating class from Libertas Academy will head to college in the fall, with students bound for top colleges and universities. 

Ben Cruse, Chief of Schools at Libertas, has led the turnaround of the organization from a school in the 6th percentile in the state to the 60th percentile. He joins the fellowship with 15 years of experience in teaching and leadership, including founding and leading high-performing schools in the U.S. and abroad.

Bold Charter School, Founder Andrew Foglia

Bold Charter School, a high-performing school in the Bronx, NY, has a mission to build world-class K-12 public schools that challenge and empower all students to excel in college and life. Bold graduates students with the knowledge and character to achieve their highest potential and lead purposeful lives.

Founded by Andrew Foglia, the school is committed to innovation—both in its culture and school design—to prepare all students to succeed at the highest level. Foglia sets the strategic direction of the organization and leads the leadership team to achieve ambitious goals. Overall, he successfully demonstrates the core competencies of entrepreneurial grit, instructional leadership, and operational excellence that are necessary to replicate and launch high-performing schools.

Foglia will select a founding leader through the support of the North Star Fellowship to establish Bold Charter School’s first school in Connecticut.

TransformED Academy, Fellow and Founder Dr. Monica Brase

TransformED Academy (TEDA) is an innovative high school designed to re-engage disengaged and disconnected learners. Through a competency-based education framework, TEDA places learners at the center of their educational journey, emphasizing voice, choice, and real-world application through project-based and work-based learning.

Founded by Dr. Monica Brase, TEDA reflects her deep commitment to youth voice, educational justice, and alternative learning pathways. A seasoned educational leader and advocate, Dr. Brase has led significant improvements in student achievement and school culture as Principal of Burns Latino Studies Academy, a turnaround school. She is widely recognized as an expert in alternative education and has led impactful youth participatory action research initiatives. In addition to her school-based leadership, Dr. Brase serves as an educational consultant for nonprofit and educational institutions, including COMPASS Youth Collaborative, Chicopee Public Schools, and the Connecticut State Department of Higher Education.

PROUD Academy, Fellow David Brown, Founder Patty Nicolari

PROUD Academy was founded in response to the need for a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. They plan to launch their first school in Ansonia, Connecticut.

Patty Nicolari, founder and executive director, has a family history in Ansonia. She is a veteran public school leader and nationally recognized youth advocate. Nicolari advocates for and creates affirming spaces within public schools and nonprofit organizations. With strong leadership, deep community roots, and a research-backed, student-centered design, PROUD Academy is well-positioned to drive systems change and expand high-quality education options that serve all students in Connecticut.

David Brown, founding principal of Proud Academy, is a dedicated educational leader with over a decade of experience. Brown has held several leadership roles, including instructional coach, principal in residence, and principal. He is deeply committed to culturally responsive practices, restorative justice, and personalized learning, fostering positive school climates that empower students and staff. His leadership philosophy emphasizes compassion, shared leadership, and collaboration to cultivate strong teams and sustainable change.

To learn more about current and previous fellows and the schools and organizations they founded, visit themindtrust.org/fellows.

CT Charter Management Organization (CMO) Development Award

In addition to the four fellows, The Mind Trust and LEAD announced Hebrew Public as the first CT Charter Management Organization (CMO) Development award recipient.

Hebrew Public – $325,000

This $325,000 award supports Hebrew Public in building organizational capacity as it prepares to grow into a multisite charter network. After successfully being authorized by the Connecticut State Board of Education, Hebrew Public is poised for growth with the planned launch of OLAM Public Charter School in Stamford, Connecticut. While the organization has not yet selected a founding school leader to participate in the North Star Fellowship, the award will enable Hebrew Public to strengthen its infrastructure and operations ahead of scale. The CMO Development Award is designed to help charter operators eventually achieve financial sustainability through public funding.

A Fellowship That’s Part of a Broader Strategy

The North Star Fellowship is a key part of The Mind Trust’s broader Connecticut strategy to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality public education. This work is guided by four strategic pillars that together form a comprehensive approach to educational transformation: 1. school incubation, 2. education ecosystem strategies, 3. school supports, and 4. talent pipelines and development.

###

About LEAD

LEAD is a dynamic Connecticut-based education nonprofit dedicated to advocating for and ensuring that every student and parent across Connecticut has access to an effective system of schools and programs. Our mission goes beyond expanding educational options and opportunities; we are committed to promoting an equitable society and fostering a healthy, educated, and actively engaged community. By championing the rights of students and families, we strive to put every student on a path to success in college, careers, and life. Through relentless advocacy and innovative solutions, LEAD is transforming the educational landscape in Connecticut, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential.